Figure toy game apparatus



Sept. 20, 1938. J. MURRAY FIGURE TOY GAME APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l jnvenior RED J'azrzas'mrray v Attorneys Sept. 20, 1938. I MURRAY 2,130,558

FIGURE TOY GAME APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor fiv as' flarra M By m .4 iiorneys Sept. 20, 1938. 1 MURRAY 2,130,558

FIGURE TOY GAME APPARATUS Filed 001;. s, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet s jzjiwez yr l \V A V E z a h E I 3.? 5 i i l I l I Inventor .4 iiorneys Sept. 20, 1938.

J. MURRAY FIGURE TOY GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 8, 1937 W m J M 3 Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel game apparatus of a type expressly adapted for use at carnivals, amusement parks, and the like, and the purpose of the invention is to provide a structure characterized by a plurality of so-called dancing toys or figures, these being mounted on a tableprovided with a platform and functioning as dummies, at which baseballs may be thrown, under which condition the dummies constitute movable or jumping targets.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by a stand or table whose top serves as a dancing platform for the yieldably suspended targets or figures.- Novel hanger or suspension means is utilized for each figure, and operating means is coordinated therewith to agitate and shake the figures, said operating means embodying a power driven rotary tappet shaft.

Novelty is predicated in one instance on the particular construction of the dummy or toy fig.- ure. That is to say, each figure is made up of a plurality of loose jointed dangling parts associated with a rubber shielded body constituting a support for a hinged catch retained head performing as a dropping target when struck by a baseball or other pellet hurled through the air and against it.

Further novelty resides, it is believed, in the adoption and use of what may be called a unique jiggling jigger so fashioned and clothed as to provide a unique constantly moving target performing the antics of a joggling dance.

Further novelty is predicated upon the adoption and use of a standard having a walkingbeam type suspension or hanger arm, this serving as the primary holding means for the jigger and having adjustable spring tensioning and cushioning means cooperable therewith.

Furthermore, novelty has to do with the adoption and use of a suitably powered rotary shaft beneath the platform, this having intermittently operable cams or tappets coacting with pivoted arms having operating connections with the targets or figure toys.

Other features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

50 In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is. a front elevation of the complete assembly showing two of the multiple group of 55 jiggertoys, one of said toys or figures being omitted to expose and therefore illustrate its supporting means.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the assemblage seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse or vertical sectional 5 view through the base portion of the construction showing to advantage the pivoted arm and sec tional tappet means.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the twin spring anchoring means for the rear end of the hinged l0 hanger or suspension arm.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of one of the sections of the tappet unit or assembly.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the multiple part skeleton or carcass divested of clothing. 15

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View through the skeleton or object seen in Figure' 6.

As a matter of convenience, it is deemed advisable to describe first the construction of one of the target performing figures. Reference is 20 therefore made to Figures 6 and '7. Here the body of the skeleton is denoted by the numeral 8 and comprises a wooden or equivalent frame 9 of general rectangular form. Secured to the front of this is a backing plate l0 having a rubber 25 facing or covering ll performing as a bumper. On the top member of the frame I provide a block of wood l2, and'this is hingedly mounted as at l3. On its target side it is provided with a metal disk [4 having a rubber facing or cover- 30 ing l5 also functioning as a ball receptive impact element or target. The numeral I6 is an appropriate retention clip, this being engageable with the detent E8 on the neck portion of the hinged target-head. Attached tothe shoulder portions of the body are appropriate U-shaped brackets l9 which serve to accommodate the dangling arms 20. The arms are made up of appropriate companion sections 2! and 22 pivotally linked together as at 23. on the bottom of the body I provide accommodation brackets or fixtures 24 of any suitable type to appropriately hang the dangling legs 25. Here, again, the legs are made up of sections 26 pivotally linked together as at 21. Additional links connect with the lower section to accommodate foot blocks 28.

When the skeleton is properly clothed, it constitutes the target performing jigger such as may be unitarily referred to by the numeral 29 in Figures 1 and 2. The head portion of the structure is properly shielded within an imitation head 30, and the encasing or enveloping face portion 3| is preferably of rubber to absorb the punishment and blows from the projected or thrown pellet.

The base or stand forming the support proper is unitarily denoted by the numeral 32, and this embodies an appropriate table or platform 33 with suitable braced supporting legs 34. Horizontal frame members 35 serve to support appropriate bearings 36 in which the rotary powered shaft 31 is journaled for rotation. A pulley or the like 38 is on one end of the shaft and driven by a suitable power or propulsion belt (not shown). The cam or tappet units are keyed or clamped on the shaft at predetermined points. Each tappet assembly is composed of a pair of notched blocks 38 bolted together around the shaft as at 39. Each block has an extension 40 which constitutes a tappet or cam finger, and this has cam. coaction with the operating arm or lever 42. The lever is pivotally mounted as at 43 in suitable brackets 44. The operating connection between the lever and the figure toy comprises complemental rods 45 and 46 adjoined by a connecting coiled spring 41. The upper rod 45 is appropriately joined to the figure to provide the desired agitating or joggling motion.

Attention comes now to the suspension or hanger means, and this comprises, as shown in Figure 2, a perpendicular or vertical stationary standard 48 mounted on the support 32. It rises to a suitable height where it is provided with a shelf 49 to accommodate a cushioning spring 53. The spring coacts with the adjacent forward end portion 5i of the suspension arm. This arm is in the nature of a miniature walking beam and, is hingedly attached as at 52 to the upper end of the standard. The rear end portion, which is flexible, is bowed down as denoted at 53; where it joins with a turn buckle 54 which is in turn connected with diverging anchoring springs 55.

The springs are joined at their lower ends with hooks or the like 56 on the floor or othermain support 51; This spring balanced means provides the desired resilient rocking hanger for the mechanically joggled figure, 29 by pivotally mounting the suspension arms 53 at a point between the center and one end provides a desirable agitated mount for the figure. The adjustable spring means is, however, susceptible of adjustment to regulate the sensitivity of actuation of these parts. Thus, the toy 29 is resiliently suspended or hung from the post or standard 28 at a point above the platform 23. While thus hung, it is intermittently raised and lowered by the operating connection between said figure and the tappet shaft. Here, again, the operating connection is sufficiently flexible to give the indeterminate animated activity to the figure, especially the dangling legs and arms. Hence, while the figure is thus posed and dancing, it becomes a movable target found to be ideal in connection with a ball throwing game of the well known type sanctioned for use at carnivals, amusement parks, and the like.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a toy figure construction of the class described, a frame forming a body member, a backing plate attached to one side of said frame, a

sheet of rubber secured to said backing member and constituting a cushioning ball impact receptive element, adapter brackets secured to the lower portion of said frame, sectional link connected legs pivotally attached to and dangling from said adapter brackets, shoulder brackets connected to the upper portion of said frame, sectional link adjoined arms pivotally attached to said U-shaped brackets, a hanger arm secured to said frame, a head forming block hingedly mounted on the upper portion of the frame, said block being provided with a metal disk and a rubber covering forming a ball receptive target, a detent on said hinged block, and a latch on said frame cooperable with said detent to main tain the block in a normal perpendicular position as to allow it to swing to a flopping position when struck by a ball.

2. In a construction of the class described, a table including a platform, a standard attached to and rising from said table, a longitudinally bowed fiexible arm. hingedly attached intermediate its ends to the upper end of said standard, a cushioning spring interposed between the standard and adjacent forward end portion of said arm, a toy figure attached to and dangling from the forward end of said arm, a turn buckle connected to the opposite end of the arm, and anchoring springs associated with said turn buckle.

3. In a construction of the class described, a table including a platform, a standard attached to and rising from said table, a longitudinally bowed flexible arm hingedly attached intermediate its ends to the upper end of said standard, a cushioning spring interposed between the standard and adjacent forward end portion of said arm, a toy figure attached to and dangling from the forward end of said arm, a turn buckle connected to the opposite end of the arm, anchoring springs associated with said turn buckle, together with an operating lever pivotally mounted on said table, means for actuating said lever, and an operating connection between the free swingable end of the lever and superposed forward end portion of said arm, said operating member including spring adjoined rods.

l. As a component part of a structure of the class described, a toy figure comprising a body member, a backing plate on said body member, r

a shock absorbing ball rebounding and cushioning member on said backing plate, legs attached to said body member, arms attached to said body member, a head forming block hingedly secured to the upper portion of said body member, said block being provided with a metal disk and a rubber covering forming a ball receptive target, a detent element on the hinged end of said block, and a latch on said body member releasably engageable with the detent to maintain the block in a normal perpendicular position and to allow the same, under predetermined conditions, to swing down to a flopping position against said body member.

5. In a construction of the class described, a table including a dancing platform, a vertical standard attached to and rising from said platform, a horizontal longitudinally bowed flexible arm hingedly attached intermediate its opposite ends to the upper end of said standard, resilient cushioning means interposed between the standard and adjacent forward end portion of said arm, a toy figure attached to and dangling from the forward free end of said arm, and anchoring means attached to the opposite end of said arm,

said anchoring means being resilient and adjustable and attachable to the floor or the like.

6. In a figure toy game apparatus of the class described, a leg supported table including a dancing platform for a toy figure, a horizontally disposed shaft mounted for rotation in bearings on said table, said shaft being disposed within the confines of the supporting legs and directly beneath the platform, tappets mounted rigidly on said shaft for rotation therewith, an arm disposed at right angles to said shaft and having its outer end pivoted beneath an edge portion of to provide an operating connection between the 10 arm and toy figure.

JAMES MIURRAY. 

